# become

/bɪˈkəm/ (US) · /bɪkˈʌm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/become
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. to start being

verb · CEFR A1

to start to be something or to change into something else.

For teachers: to come to be or undergo a change in state, character, or condition. Functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective or noun phrase.

- The weather became very cold as soon as the sun went down.
- After years of dedicated research and clinical practice, she eventually became a leading expert in the field of pediatric neurology.

### 2. to look good on

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to look attractive on someone or to suit their style.

For teachers: to be aesthetically pleasing or attractive on a person. Transitive; the person being complemented is the direct object.

- That shade of dark blue really becomes you.
- The diplomat's reserved manner became him well, lending an air of quiet authority to his opening remarks.

### 3. to be appropriate

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to be the right or proper way for someone to behave.

For teachers: to be appropriate, proper, or befitting to a person or social role.

- It does not become a student to be so rude to a teacher.
- Such aggressive outbursts do not become a person of your professional standing and reputation.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used in the negative ('it does not become you') to criticize someone's behavior as beneath their dignity.

## Examples

- The weather will become cold tonight.
- After years of hard work and study, she will finally become a qualified doctor next month.
- As the sun began to set, the quiet village started to become a hub of activity with locals gathering for the evening market.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He became to be a teacher" but "He became a teacher" — Become is followed directly by a noun or adjective; it does not take an infinitive like 'to be'.

## Usage notes

- Linking verb — followed by a noun phrase or an adjective. It is never used in the passive voice.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.